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Original poster

UK public school for 13 year old Canadian Chinese

36 replies

fatimash · 17/02/2014 23:21

Hello we are moving from Toronto and have been looking at information of Alleyn's, Merchant Taylor Northwood, Albingdon and Sevenoaks. You could probably tell we aren't fussed about geography too much (as long as reasonably close to London) as we haven't found a house yet. However we are Canadian Chinese and would like son to be reasonably exposed to Chinese/Asian culture so that he doesn't lose his roots. We need school to be academically strong but not hothouse and promotes sporting virtues and espouses support for new students (son is not the most sociable kid). Any views on the above schools and any other names you would like to add ? Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
fatimash · 19/02/2014 07:12

Hello yes UCC is IB. We are not too hung up about that though because there is more than 50% chance he will do Uni in UK so A levels also ok. All of you have been very helpful so I'll give it another go. Are kids in the private schools you mentioned level headed kids? I know parents also mold children's characters from young. However given these beautiful school facilities do kids understand it is hard to make a living these days? I hope this is not too tough an indictment for good schools

OP posts:
UKsounding · 19/02/2014 05:36

So, a pretty large, busy all-rounder boys school. (My DD is currently at the nearby girls school. I have done the reverse relocate. I only know the boys school by reputation though.)

UCC uses an IB curriculum doesn't it? Is that important to you? My guess is that Sevenoaks might be a very decent fit but coed. Don't know Whitgift.

Ifyoubuildit · 18/02/2014 16:44

Tonbridge is very sporty. The sports facilities are fantastic.

GinAndIt · 18/02/2014 16:41

Another vote here to take a look at Whitgift School.

Academically selective, single-sex, boys come from wide variety of cultural backgrounds, strong on Mandarin, very strong indeed on sports. 20 mins on the train from Victoria.

Original poster
fatimash · 18/02/2014 16:32

Thanks for the very useful info. He is turning 12+ in August so depending on school admission requirements we will work on it for 2015 13+ admission. We are moving there in June 15.

He is currently at Upper Canada College in Toronto, a private boys school. I don't think co-ed will faze him though we have slight preference for him to go to Boys' only.

Could I ask how important are sports and music in UK schools especially for the names you mentioned? In North America schools are very fixated on how boys could contribute in sports at schools. I understand no university in UK will look at sports performance as admission criterea but as he is good both counts (tennis, swimming, cello) over and above the stuff I mentioned above a good school sporting culture would be ideal. Please help. Thanks so much

OP posts:
Lovealotofshopping · 18/02/2014 09:44

Merchant Taylors will have plenty of Chinese boys. It's very multi cultural worth lots of British born Indian boys too.I would add Habs boys and City of London to your list too, they are v academic and very multi cultural with plenty of British Chinese boys.

meditrina · 18/02/2014 06:46

If a school has an ad hoc vacancy, then they will be happy to fill it with a good candidate. But as offers are being sent our right now, they won't know right now if they have any spaces for year 9 in September.

But if OP's DS is already 13, then it'll be current year 9 place (year 10 in September) that's needed. Parents leaving schools need to give one full term's notice to avoid fees in lieu. Vacancies for September will be better known by start of next term in April.

NeedHoliday · 18/02/2014 06:10

Arriving after the place allocations have been made for September shouldn't be too much of a problem as I know of at least one boy at my sons school who moved from Hong Kong and sat an entrance exam in the June prior to arrival.

Also add Whitgift to your list - they seem keen at the moment to attract from an international market and have a very strong language dept that offers mandarin. I believe Sevenoaks no longer offer mandarin as an option but I could be wrong about this.

Both Sevenoaks and Whitgift offer the IB, I'm not sure about the others, which may influence your decision depending on whether you will be looking at international universities.

As mentioned below Tonbridge is another great school which good train links into London.

Good luck with your search.

birdybear · 18/02/2014 05:56

Have you considered tonbridge school? Lots of Asian boys there? And a very good school.

WhiskyTangoFoxtrot · 18/02/2014 05:26

I fAlleyns is a pssibility, then I'd add Dulwich College to your list because of the Chinese (Mandarin). Or do you definitely want coed?

The snag is that 13+ offers for most schools for this September have just been made. Or is he already 13, and you need an ad hoc place before September?

UKsounding · 18/02/2014 03:14

That's a range of quite different schools. Where would he go if you were staying in Toronto?